Sanremo 2025, Carlo Conti is the new host and artistic director

On this occasion, we publish an interview published in Firenze Magazine in 2009

Taking over from Amadeus, after a record five editions, is the Florentine Carlo Conti, who will be the presenter and artistic director of the Sanremo Festival for the 2025 and 2026 editions. His is a return, as he already conducted the musical kermesse seven years ago.

For the occasion, we publish an interview with the presenter published in Firenze made in Tuscany 9 in 2009.

Chances of seeing him on prime time TV or right before the evening news are great. He always sports a good suntan, spectacles, a short halo of dark curls and an immaculate classic shirt. And he is always in a good mood: the impish buddy among school friends, ready for a new prank. Carlo Conti is also one of the best anchormen of Italian television. He has the capability of keeping his public literally glued in front of the screen and the merit of putting all his guests in the best and interesting light, may they be singers, actors, movie directors or simply VIPs. Not to be forgotten his encounter and interview with the most famous soccer player of all times: Diego Armando Maradona. Last March he won the “best TV personality of the year “award but all this success hardly touches him and, moreover, he never forgets his beloved hometown Florence.

Carlo Conti

How was Florence when you were a child?

I was not born in the heart of Florence, among monuments and tourists. I was born in the suburban district of Rifredi, among houses built in the ‘40s and, in the ‘60s when I was born, there were still many green fields. There was an important church, San Francesco e San Chiara, at Montughi, home to Franciscan friars. At the time, those friars were, for my adolescent mind, a never-ending source of culture and learning. I still remember two of them, named Artemio and Flavio. I learned more from them than at school.

Did you play soccer, then?

I certainly did. It was a great passion of mine. I dreamed of becoming a champion but, unfortunately, whenever children were chosen for the two respective teams, I was always left behind together with another poor, fat and bespectacled boy. They used to say: “Take those two, they are for free”, and I can still feel a burning sense of humiliation.

I assume you realized then that soccer would never be your path to glory..

Yes, but I have never given up my passion for such a sport and I am a fanatical supporter of my beloved Fiorentina club. And let me add, I was the one who interviewed Maradona on TV. I even dribbled the ball with him!

Did you start your career in Florence?

The first free radio stations appeared in the ‘70s. I started with presenting songs and little messages like “to Anna with love, from Giulio..” and so on, while talking with the listeners. It all began like that.

Later you met the Florentine comedians and together you gave life to “Vernice Fresca”, a very popular show.

They are still my friends. I learned with them and from the very beginning that my best role would be as their stooge and, thanks to my being always good-natured, I never took offence.

What, of Florence, do you like best?

Its center, of course. There are times when I take a stroll downtown just for the pleasure of breathing that certain unique atmosphere.

Today’s TV suffers from too many channels..What do you think of the future of free TV?

In the beginning there were but two TV channels; today about one thousand. Big audiences are things of the past. One must work diligently and hope for the best.

You have gained huge popularity. How do you free yourself from the excessive stress and pressure?

By escaping to Florence whenever I can, seeing old friends and going to the grocery store.

I don’t buy that!

It’s true. Ask the many housewives that I encounter at the Conad or Coop stores. They stare at me, unbelievingly, while I go on serenely choosing my green beans.

Your friends today are?

Exactly the same, since twenty years. Leonardo Pieraccioni and Giorgio Panariello with whom I started this job, Gaetano Gennai, Cristiano Militello, Walter Santillo, Niki Giustini, Graziano Salvatori, Ceccherini and Paci. And Katia Beni, the only woman patient enough to put up with us all.

What parts of your Tuscany do you like best?

I love the Versilia area and Castiglioncello. Castiglioncello was considered, once, the capital of Italian cinema. The top stars used to spend their summers there: Mastroianni, Sordi, Gassman, Montagnani, Susi Cecchi D’Amico, Bice Valori with Paolo Panelli. I remember dreaming of taking glimpse of Sordi at the bar or Gassman on the beach. At present, I have the honor of being a member of their club: the club of the four bald tires. I also remember my other good friends from Castiglioncello: Dario, with whom I sail, Giorgio, Luca and Maurizio. For once, it is I who dedicate a recollection of happy times to my friends, as I used to do on free radio stations!